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Wall Street Pauses as Fed Meeting Looms: Futures Hold Steady

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Tuesday as investors awaited the start of the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all hovered near flat, reflecting a cautious mood across Wall Street. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but traders are focused on Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the central bank’s updated economic projections. Markets are looking for clues on when rate cuts might begin in 2024, with inflation cooling but still above the Fed’s long-term target. Recent gains in equities have been fueled by optimism that the Fed’s tightening cycle is over, yet uncertainty remains about how quickly monetary policy will shift toward easing. Until then, investors appear content to hold their positions, waiting for clearer signals from the Fed before making bold moves.

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UN Halts Aid Shipments Through Gaza’s Main Crossing Over Safety Concerns

 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza's primary cargo route, citing severe safety concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, stated that the decision was made due to the threat posed by armed gangs who have looted recent aid convoys.

The suspension comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the cold, rainy winter and the ongoing conflict. Experts have already warned of potential famine in the northern parts of Gaza, which have been almost completely isolated by Israeli forces since early October.

Lazzarini pointed out that the route leading to Kerem Shalom has become too dangerous, with nearly 100 trucks being looted in mid-November and another smaller shipment stolen just recently. He also criticized Israeli policies, claiming they have contributed significantly to the breakdown of law and order in Gaza.

The suspension of aid shipments is expected to worsen the already dire situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in squalid tent camps and relying heavily on international food aid.



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